My father (Al-‘Abbas (رضي الله عنه)) said, “O my son, I see that the Amirul Muminin (‘Umar Ibn Khattab (رضي الله عنه)) brings you close to him, and he sits alone with you and consults you along with some of the companions of the Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) of Allah. Learn three things from me: fear Allah and never disclose his (‘Umar’s (رضي الله عنه) ) secrets; never lie to him; and never backbite about anyone to him.”

“When there comes the Help of Allah [to you, O’ Muhammad against your enemies] and the conquest [of Makkah]. And you see that the people enter Allah’ s religion [Islam] in crowds…. (Qur’an 110:1-2)

Some of the said, “We do not know”, and some of the did not say anything. He asked me, “O son of al ‘Abbas (رضي الله عنه), do you say the same?” I said,”No.” He then asked, “Then what do you say?”

I said, ” It is foretelling the death of Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) of Allah. Allah is telling him that when the help of Allah comes and the conquest of Makkah, this is a sign that your death is approaching, so glorify the praises of your Lord and ask His forgiveness, verily He is the one Who accepts repentance and Who forgives.”

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Ibn `Abbas (رضي الله عنه) said, “Just before Allah raised `Isa عليه السلام to the heavens, `Isa went to his companions, who were twelve inside the house. When he arrived, his hair was dripping water and he said, `There are those among you who will disbelieve in me twelve times after he had believed in me.’ He then asked, `Who volunteers that his image appear as mine, and be killed in my place. He will be with me (in Paradise)’ One of the youngest ones among them volunteered and `Isa asked him to sit down. `Isa again asked for a volunteer, and the young man kept volunteering and `Isa asking him to sit down. Then the young man volunteered again and `Isa said, `You will be that man,’ and the resemblance of `Isa was cast over that man while `Isa ascended to heaven from a hole in the house. When the Jews came looking for `Isa, they found that young man and crucified him. Some of `Isa’s followers disbelieved in him twelve times after they had believed in him. They then divided into three groups. One group, Al-Ya`qubiyyah (Jacobites), said, `Allah remained with us as long as He willed and then ascended to heaven.’ Another group, An-Nasturiyyah (Nestorians), said, `The son of Allah was with us as long as he willed and Allah took him to heaven.’ Another group, Muslims, said, `The servant and Messenger of Allah remained with us as long as Allah willed, and Allah then took him to Him.’ The two disbelieving groups cooperated against the Muslim group and they killed them. Ever since that happened, Islam was then veiled until Allah sent Muhammad .”

This statement has an authentic chain of narration leading to Ibn `Abbas, and An-Nasa’i narrated it through Abu Kurayb who reported it from Abu Mu`awiyah.

Many among the Salaf stated that `Isa asked if someone would volunteer for his appearance to be cast over him, and that he will be killed instead of `Isa, for which he would be his companion in Paradise.

Good deeds create shine on face and light to the heart, vigour to the body, self sufficiency in provision and general popularity to the people’s heart. On the other hand, bad deeds create blackness on the face, darkness to the heart, weakness to the body, decrease in provision and hatred to the people’s heart.

“Allah never sent a Prophet but after taking his pledge that if Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) were sent in his lifetime, he would believe in and support him.” Allah commanded each Prophet to take a pledge from his nation that if Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) were sent in their time, they would believe in and support him.